sublime - there are a lot of folks and threads about people here dealing with various mental illnesses. Folks are pretty supportive around here (all depends on who and the issue, but generally ok).

Feel free to PM me, I live in NC, work in MH advocacy/policy, and am all too aware of what is happening in our state. I don't have any answers for what is happening, or where things are going to go. Just wanted to let you know that there are some folks trying to make things work better in the long run. At the current rate that might be helpful to my non existent grandchildren. but still...

Hope you find someone to take sliding scale. Its tough in more rural areas of the state but if you are near any of the urban centers you might want to consider finding a licenced clinical social worker (call/web NASW-NC for list) for talk therapy. LCSWs can be great therapists and some will negocaite a sliding scale. There are also other organizations with lists of psychologists, etc that may also reduce fees. In some cases they would rather take a few reduced cost clients becsaue tey don't ahve the hassle of billing insurance or the state for care.

Yup!! My best therapist was an LCSW!! and she knew about EDs from personal experience so we had lots in common!!

Margie...I'm basically posting this to apologise to you. I did read your original post about being bi-polar, but I didn't respond to it. Quite truthfully, I didn't know what to say, so I just ignored it and that was wrong to do. I should have at least done what I'm going to do now. I can't offer you support because I don't know what kind you need. I can't say I understand what you're going through, because I don't. I can't say that I have any experience or real knowledge about being bi-polar because I don't. I can say though that I sympathize with your struggles, because I do. I can say that it doesn't change the way I regard you in any way. I can say that I admire the strength and courage you have shown to talk about this and to deal with it in your everyday life. I do wish you the best in coping and through you I hope to broaden my own awareness. Take care!

sublime, Please don't be "ashamed" of being bipolar. It is a chemical imbalance. You are doing everything you can to manage your illmess and you should be proud of yourself. You are also tackling your weight. It seems to me you are much stronger than you give yourself credit for. I agree that seeing a therapist or joining a support group is a good idea. It will help you accept your diagnosis and realize it is nothing to be ashamed of. Being bipolar is difficult enough to deal with on a day to day basis without adding shame to the equation. I wish you the best in getting help. Here in NY we have more resources than seem to be available to you in NC. If you can't find a support group or an afforable LCSW, see if there is a chapter of EA (Emotions Anonymous) in your area. Best of luck to you.

Wow, where do I start? You guys are all so great

Jkmfrog, thank you, and I will be PMing you soon. I had many more resources when I lived in Raleigh, so out here is much more frustrating. San Diego was fairly easy to get help, but of course then I wasn't as aware I needed it! I'm not familiar with most of the abbrev. used in your quote, and I want to make sure I know what I"m looking for, so when I PM you, that info would be so helpfull.


Charran, don't be so hard on yourself sweetie! Its not always easy to know what to think or say. And I'm so glad it doesn't change how you feel. I still get wary around other mentally ill people, and I feel bad about it, but its something that needs to be worked through for everybody. Thanks for taking that step.

Serea, thanks for the support, and I had never heard of the emotions group, I'll have to check into that. I know I'm a super strong person, but the mind is a strong thing too, and when its telling you your weak and can't do anything, it can be a nasty fight! I hope some more people with mental health issues will join us. Talk to you all soon!!

NASW-NC= National Association of Social Workers- North Carolina

LCSW= Licensed Certified Social Worker

Thanks Judy, that clears up some confusion.

Some ways all this affects my weight loss are 1, my focus factor. I really have to focus to eat the right foods. My focus is often muddled, I get confused and distracted easily. Calming down enough to eat takes 2nd place in everything else I'm trying to do. I'm learning thats not fair to me. I'm as important as everybody else in my house, sometimes I don't think so though. 2, I can't remember. If I don't write it down right away, its gone. Meaning the thought I just had. I'll think of it later. Man that frustrates me!

Ummm, excuse me...but I need you to know that most people here have the very same issues with staying on plan...its not just you!! Staying focused is not easy for anyone...but it is possible with being organized and having the correct foods available at all times!!

I started to keep a food list for shopping...I even had to go so far as to put a pad and pen on my fridge cuz I would think of it and then forget what it was!! Now when I think of it, I'm in the kitchen and write it down fast!!

I had to think before responding to this. I'm aware that a lot if not most people here have a focus issue. However, I wasn't speaking of them, only of myself and part of the reason I have such issues with focus and why they flucuate. I meant for this thread to be a safe haven to discuss weight loss and mental health, not to debate wether or not I have a harder time than others due to mental health issues. Staying focused isn't always possible, because organization isn't always possible for me. Everybody can take it as a sob story if they want, but its not. I really like the saying, do not judge another man until you've walked a mile in his shoes. Of course, I could have taken the quote above all wrong. Words spoken and words typed can come off many different ways. Best to you all, Margie

No Margie, you misunderstand me here.....I was trying to tell you that focus may not be due to your disorder as many have the same issue...I am not trying to minimize your frustration at all!!

willingness to try to do better is all anyone can ask.....hugs to you Margie!!

I'm so glad I misunderstood! Its been known to happen, and its one of the few things I can't stand about computers. My bad Judy, my bad

Margie,

I haven't read all of this thread because it is 11:30 p.m. and I should be finishing up my studying for the night (finals). I will read all of it tomorrow or in the next couple of days.

I just wanted to let you know that one year ago I was diagnosed with Bi-Polar II after a very very stressful event in my life (they say that this can cause latent Bi-Polar to emerge). Since then, I have been suffering from mild depressive episodes and hypomania episodes (I suffer from mania much more than any kind of depression).

I am on medication that seems to help, but I feel very ravenous since starting the meds. Hence gaining at least 15 pounds in the last year . Since I don't suffer from depression that often or that severely, its hard for me to say if I eat more - although, that may be the case. Hard to tell with studying so much (in law school) - and always wanting to snack whilst studying. Of course that too may be b/c of the meds. Vicious cycle of thought emerging here.

If you ever want to chat, we can continue here and/or you can contact me via IM or PM - I am more than happy to talk about weight loss and/or your Bi-Polar diagnosis. I do have some experience with the diagnosis, as well as seeing a psychiatrist (at a teaching hospital no less - lots of monitoring of my care - its a good thing and she's a great doctor).

hugs

Thank you so much for responding to this thread, and I will be chating more with you very soon.

Sublime, please let me say I really admire you and your commitment to make both yours and your family's life better.
I do have a question, though, if you don't mind. My 13 year old daughter was recently diagnosed as bi-polar. (as is her father and his mother...) My question is, if you were me, and knowing the disease as intimately as you do, what would be your advice to me in parenting my baby? A skinned knee I know what to do with. But this is totally outside of my range. I take her to her appointments and make sure she has taken her meds. So I guess what I really need to know is, what would you like your mother to do? Any help is appreciated!!

Sublime (((HUGS))) You are one brave woman for going thru BiPolar and having a truly loving and strong commintment to your family and having to deal with it everyday.

Dh suffers from BiPolar and myself, still out for the count however the closest things we have discovered are PTSD, Severe Anxiety and possible Situational Depression. It's very tough to deal with and I hope that I can have the courage to go and see a therapist and get on medications soon. I have been so afraid for so long and I know I am almost at a stage where I am not afraid to go. Besides 2 medical health conditions I have (diabetes and PCOS) and a bad spinal injury that has kept me inactive, alot of my weight has also come from emotional eating when I am really depressed. I am working on that with my diabetes specialist.

You are an amazing woman and don't ever let anyone (including yourself) say otherwise!